Review of child maltreatment prevention programs in South Korea

Objective: The objective of this study is twofold. The first objective is to examine the status of studies on the effect of child maltreatment prevention programs in South Korea. The second objective is to recommend directions for child maltreatment prevention programs based on the results of the first objective.Procedure: A literature search of prevention programs for child maltreatment was conducted. Research studies published from 1989 to 2013 were identified through a computerized selection process, resulting in 198 studies. Further detailed search of keywords ultimately identified 37 studies focusing on child maltreatment prevention programs. These 37 studies were further classified and reviewed. Results: This study was able to find several pertinent findings. First, child maltreatment prevention programs targeting teachers and parents were not sufficient. Second, child maltreatment prevention programs for high risk population were also insufficient in the selected literatures. Third, based on the existing studies, child maltreatment prevention programs in South Korea lacked diversified contents. Fourth, most research measured effectiveness through attitude and awareness factors. Finally, child maltreatment programs were not systematic and mainly were conducted as one-time programs.Conclusions: There needs to be more studies examining the effectiveness of prevention programs for child maltreatment, notably, sustainable and long-term effects of prevention programs. Moreover, these programs need to include high-risk populations, with more diverse contents, that are systematically included throughout all three levels of prevention – primary, secondary, and tertiary

CM1, a Chrysin Derivative, Protects from Endotoxin-Induced Lethal Shock by Regulating the Excessive Activation of Inflammatory Responses

Sepsis, a leading cause of death worldwide, is a harmful inflammatory condition that is primarily caused by an endotoxin released by Gram-negative bacteria. Effective targeted therapeutic strategies for sepsis are lacking. In this study, using an in vitro and in vivo mouse model, we demonstrated that CM1, a derivative of the natural polyphenol chrysin, exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by inducing the expression of the ubiquitin-editing protein TNFAIP3 and the NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). Interestingly, CM1 attenuated the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-induced production of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/MAPK and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathways. In addition, CM1 induced the expression of TNFAIP3 and SIRT1 on TLR4-stimulated primary macrophages; however, the anti-inflammatory effect of CM1 was abolished by the siRNA-mediated silencing of TNFAPI3 or by the genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of SIRT1. Importantly, intravenous administration of CM1 resulted in decreased susceptibility to endotoxin-induced sepsis, thereby attenuating the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neutrophil infiltration into the lung compared to control mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that CM1 has therapeutic potential for diverse inflammatory diseases, including sepsis

Monoclinic-Orthorhombic Na_1.1Li_2.0V₂(PO₄)₃/C Composite Cathode for Na⁺/Li⁺ Hybrid-Ion Batteries

Monoclinic Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ (LVP) has been considered a promising cathode material for lithium-ion batteries for the past decade because of its high average potential (>4.0 V) and specific capacity (197 mAh g^–1). In this paper, we report a new monoclinic-orthorhombic Na_1.1Li_2.0V₂(PO₄)₃/C (NLVP/C) composite cathode synthesized from monoclinic LVP via a soft ion-exchange reaction for use in Na⁺/Li⁺ hybrid-ion batteries. High-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal studies, and electrochemical data confirm room temperature stabilization of the monoclinic-orthorhombic NLVP/C composite phase. Specifically, we report the application of a monoclinic-orthorhombic NLVP/C composite as cathode material in a Na half-cell. The cathode delivered initial discharge capacities of 115 and 145 mAh g^–1 at a current density of 7.14 mA g^–1 in the 2.5–4 and 2.5–4.6 V vs Na/Na⁺ potential windows, respectively. In the lower potential window (2.5–4 V), the composite electrode demonstrated a two-step voltage plateau during the insertion and extraction of Na⁺/Li⁺ ions. Corresponding in situ synchrotron XRD patterns recorded during initial electrochemical cycling clearly indicate a series of two-phase transitions and confirm the structural stability of the NLVP/C composite cathode during insertion and extraction of the hybrid ions. Under extended cycling, excessive storage of Na ions resulted in the gradual transformation to the orthorhombic NLVP/C symmetry due to the occupancy of Na ions in the available orthorhombic sites. Moreover, the estimated average working potential and energy density at the initial cycle for the monoclinic-orthorhombic NLVP/C composite cathode (3.47 V vs Na/Na⁺ and 102.5 Wh kg^–1, respectively) are higher than those of the pyro-synthesized rhombohedral Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ (3.36 V vs Na/Na⁺ and 88.5 Wh kg^–1) cathode. Further, the cathode performance of the composite material was significantly higher than that observed with pure monoclinic LVP under the same electrochemical measurement conditions. The present study thus showcases the feasibility of using a soft ion-exchange reaction at 150 °C to facilitate the formation of composite phases suitable for rechargeable hybrid-ion battery applications